The Torii of the Itsukushima Shrine Silver Coin 2012

The Torii of the Itsukushima Shrine - Silver Coin

This beautiful coin from Palau, picturing the Torii of the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and, today, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan. Consisting of several buildings, the Shrine is believed to have originated around the year 593 and has existed in its current form since 1168. Built like a pier, as if floating on the water, the Torii, literally meaning "bird perch" in Japanese, is one of the buildings of the shrine, accessible at low tide. Its rich red color creates a beautiful contrast with the blue of the ocean.